Retaliatory game



Aug.. 27, 1968 F. J. LUKES RETALIATORY GAME 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Aug.3, 1965 ug. 27, 1968 F. J. LUKES RETALIATORY GAME Filed Aug. 5, 1965 2Sheets-Sheetv 2 United States Patent O 3,398,956 RETALIATORY GAME FrankJ. Lukes, 106 E. Bellevue Place, Chicago, Ill. 60611 Filed Aug. 3, 1965,Ser. No. 476,830 15 Claims. (Cl. 273-101) ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE Aretaliatory game of the type having opposing missile elements onopposite sides of a central barrier, the missiles held on launchers in acocked state of readiness for launching and being launchable responsiveto the blow of an opposing missile striking the launcher.

This invention relates to amusement devices and more particularly to anew and improved retaliatory-type game.

There are several known games which simulate adversary conditions, suchas war games or the like, wherein the players take turns in attemptingto thwart or overcome the opposition. Any one given or set of givenmoves by one player may then subsequently be countered by the otherplayer and so on. Usually each set of moves by one player is preceded byan interruption or break in the `moves by the other player. Moreover,the moves of the opposing forces are typically governed by means forfortuitously selecting an indicia which in turn is keyed to a set ofinstructions which governs the type of move made, such as by spinning adial, drawing a card, or throwing dice or the like.

It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide a new andimproved retaliatory-type games.

It is another object of this invention to provide a new and improvedgame where the actuation of game implements by one player -may cause theretaliatory actuation of an opponents implements in such a manner as towork to the detriment of the one player.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a new andimproved retaliatory-type game including a plurality of opposingimplements which are maintained in a constant state of readiness foraggressive action wherein the actuation of one players implements in anaggressive fashion in an eff-ort to nullify an opposing playersimplements may initiate a retaliatory attack by the opponents implementswhich will nullify one of the iirst players implements.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will beapparent from the following description of the preferred embodimentsillustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE l is a top plan view of the game board of this invention withsome of the implements assembled and ready for play;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the game board shown in FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is a rear elevational view of the launcher unit utilized withthe game of this invention;

FIGURE 4 is a section view taken through the launcher unit on the line4-4 in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIGURE 4 showing therelease of the missile from its cocked position responsive to actuationof the trigger disc; and

FIGURE 6 is a front elevational view of a simulated missile man whichmay be an implement of this game.

The game of this invention includes a generally at, thin, elongate board12 and a plurality of playing implements 14 which are mounted on theboard for action during the game. The board is divided into opposingportions 16 and 18 which are substantial mirror images of ICE eachother. The central portion of the board is provided with fold lines 19about which the board may be folded to form a center barrier 20 havingupstanding walls 20a and 20h. Each opposing portion 16 and 18 has aplurality of launching areas 22. A space or no-mans land 24 is providedon either side of barrier 20. This no-mans land 24 may also be formed asa space between two barriers 20 with the barriers formed closer to thelaunching areas.

Each launching area 22 is provided with a launching unit 26 and may alsobe provided with a missile man 28 supported on a base 28a. Eachlaunching unit includes a missile platform 30 which is placed on top ofthe game board 12. The platform 30 has a hub 30a and an upright opening30b therethrough for receiving a pivot pin 31 which is inserted from theunderside of the board through an opening 12a. Pivot pin 31 has atapered and 31a and an enlarged shank 31b. This mounts the missileplatform pivotally with respect to the board and provides means foraiming the launching unit by pivoting the unit about the pin 31.

Further included in the launching unit 26 is the launcher 32. Launcher32 and platform 30 may be integrally formed as a one-piece structure or,for the convenience of manufacture, shipping and storage, may be atwo-part component which may be easily assembled. Launcher 32 isprovided with a missile-guiding surface, track, or groove 34 forreceiving and guiding a missile 36. Missile 36 may be provided withappropriate guiding and bearing surfaces such as a missile nose guide 38and missile air foil surfaces 40, as well as missile front and tailprojections `41 and 42, respectively. Ihe lower edge of the launcher atthe bottom end of groove 34 is provided with a slightly projecting firstlocking surface or lip 43 which may engage with the forward edge orsecond locking surface 42a of the tail projection 42 to hold the missilein the cocked position.

Means are provided for cooking or holding the missile in a condition ofstress or readiness which will launch the missile into a trajectoryresponsive to release of this means. In the preferred embodiment, thismeans is shown as a rubber band 46 which is looped about the launcherand extends through openings 47 therein and engages the rear edge of thetail projection 42 of the missile. When the rubber band is thus mountedon the launcher and about the missile, and the missile is positionedwith the forward edge of the tail projection engaging the 'lip 43 of thelauncher as shown in FIGURE 4, the missile is then in place on thelauncher in a position ready for actuation responsive to camming of thetail projection 42 over the lip 43. Thus the tail projection 42, the lip43, and the rubber band 46 all form part of a means for cocking themissile and holding the same in a condition of readiness for launchinginto a trajectory responsive to actuation of a release means or a meanswhich will cam the projection 42 over the lip 43.

The release means of this invention includes a trigger disc 48 having acentral opening 48a for telescoping the disc about the pin 31. Theopening 48a is preferably of such a size relative to the tapered end 31aand the shank 31b of pin 31 that the disc may be telescoped over the pinto a point which is substantially coincident with the junction of thetapered portion 31a with the shank portion 31h. This permits the disc 48to cant relative to the pin 31 responsive to blows inflicted on the discas illustrated by the arrow A in FIGURE 5.

One edge of the disc is provided with an upwardly and outwardlyextending trigger linger 50. When the disc is properly positioned on pin31 as shown in FIGURES 4 and 5, trigger finger 50 abuts the underside oftail projection 42 as shown in FIGURE 5. When the disc 48 cantsresponsive to a blow from the general direction indicated by the arrowA, this causes trigger iinger 50 to lift tail projection 42 over lip 43as shown in FIGURE 5. The stress in the rubber band 46 may now exert itsforce on the missile to launch the missile through a trajectory asindicated by the arrows B, C, and D in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3. As themissile is launched in the groove 34, the front projection 41 and tailprojection 42 provide the surfaces along which the missile slides in thegroove 34. It is to be noted that as the missile is cammed over the lip43 by trigger finger 50, this causes the rear of the missile to liftslightly and the front end to extend downwardly into the groove. Herethe disc-like front bearing surface 38 may also perform a guidingfunction with the arcuate sides of the launcher groove 34 to insurerelative launching stability of the missile in the groove.

To set the game up ready for play by opposing players, the pin 31 isfirst inserted through the hole in the game board and then the platform30 with launchers 32 are mounted over the pin. Rubber band 46 is theninserted through the openings 47, wrapped about the rear of the launcherand draped down towards the bottom of the launcher groove 34. Toincrease tension in the rubber band and adjust the launching forceafforded thereby, the rubber band may be hooked in one of severalnotches 47a formed on the rear of the launcher. Next, disc 48 is mountedover the pin 31 with the trigger finger 50 near the bottom of the groove34. The missile is positioned on the launcher by sliding it downwardlyin the groove until the rubber band catches the bottom tail projectionof the missile and then further pulling the missile behind the bottomedge of the launcher so that the tail projection is caught underneaththe lip 43 and overhangs the trigger iinger 50. After this is done withall of the other missile units on their respective launching areas, allof the units are cocked and ready to be launched responsive to a blow oneach disc 48. A spaceman 28 may be positioned adjacent each of themissile units. Preferably the sets of implements including the launchersand the spacement will be of two different colors so that one playerutilizing one side of the board 16 will have implements of one color andthe other player using the other side of the board 18 will haveimplements of the other color.

The players may aim their several missiles by turning the missile unitson the pin 31. Initially each player may aim each of his missiles sothat they will be in a position to strike one opposing missile.Preferably each missile would be aimed at a different opposing missile,it being understood that the opponent would be undertaking the sameprocedure.

After choosing which player is to proceed first, that player willannounce the opposing launcher unit which he plans to hit and will lirehis missile by striking the trigger disc 48 with suitable means such asthe launching hammer 52. If the player is successful in hitting theannounced missile, or if he hits the spaceman which is adjacent theannounced missile, he may continue to shoot. As soon as the playermisses, then the opponent gets an opportunity to aim and call his shotand may continue to do so until he misses his announced shot. If eitherthe player or the opponent misses his shot, but does hit another missileor missile man, he will get credit for this hit, but the opponent isstill entitled to proceed next. Each time a missile hits an adversarymissile or adversary spaceman, that party whose missile scored the hitgets a credit which may be marked on a score sheet or may take the formof marking devices such as chips, discs, or other suitable well-knownmeans.

It is possible, of course, that the launching of a missile by a playeron the side of the board 16 may successfully launch the missile througha trajectory indicated by the arrow B which will cause it to strike anopponents missile on the side of the board 18 which, in turn, may launchthe opponents missile, that missile entering into a trajectory C whichwill send it through a retaliatory path and cause it to strike theplayers missile on the side of the board 16. This in turn may launchthat missile through a counter-retaliatory trajectory D which will causeit to strike a missile on the side of the board 18 and so on. All suchhits may count in the rules of the game as a disablement or a scorewhich goes to the credit of the participants.

Thus this invention provides a game wherein the several implements, inthe form of missiles, are cocked and ready for ight through a trajectoryresponsive to a suitable blow on the trigger means. The purpose of thegame is to launch a missile into a trajectory which will strike andtherefore symbolically knock out of commission an opponents missile.However, the very blow which constitutes the score may launch theopponents missile into a retaliatory path which may strike a missile onthe first side and launch that missile into a counter-retaliatory path,and so on.

It can be understood that the missile launchers may be mounted to theboard by means other than the pivotal attachments shown herein forproviding a means for aiming the rockets. Also, it can readily beappreciated that other means for cocking the missile other than therubber band shown herein may be provided. As stated, the mis silelaunchers may be provided with several axially spaced notches 47a sothat the amount of tension imparted in the rubber band may be changed.Thus the several components of the game, while being relatively simpleand easy to assemble and operate, provide a novel and high entertaininggame which may be enjoyed by participants of diverse age groups.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness ofunderstanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understoodtherefrom, as some modifications may be obvious to those skilled in theart.

1. A competitive retaliatory game, comprising: a playing board separatedinto iirst and second opposing sec-- tions; a plurality of launchingstations on each section; aimable launching means at each station, saidlaunching means including a missile launcher having a surface forguiding a missile into a trajectory and means for holding a missilecocked in a state of readiness for flight through said trajectory; amissile on each launcher held in said cocked state; and a triggerelement on each launcher for releasing the missile for flight responsiveto actuation thereof, said trigger element comprising a target areamovably mounted on the launcher as to lie generally transverse to thepath of a descending missile and connected to the missile to launch thesame responsive to movement of the trigger element, such as by beingdeflected by a descending missile, so that initial launching of onemissile from a iirst side of the board into a proper trajectory whichcauses said one missile to strike the trigger element of an opposinglauncher on the second side of the board may launch said opposingmissile on said second side into a proper retaliatory trajectory tostrike the trigger element of a third launcher on the iirst side of theboard, which, in turn, may launch a missile from said third launcherinto a counter-retaliatory trajectory, and so on.

2. A competitive retaliatory game, comprising: a playing board separatedinto first and second opposing seotions; a plurality of launchingstations on each section; launching means at each station, saidlaunching means including a missile launcher having a surface forguiding a missile into a trajectory and means for holding a missilecocked in a state of readiness for iiight through said trajectory; amissile on each launcher held in said cocked state; and a movablymounted missile actuable trigger element on each launcher operablyconnected to the missile for releasing the missile for flight responsiveto actuation thereof, said trigger element including a target area whichlies generally transverse to the path of a descending missile, saidlaunchers constructed and ar ranged to permit opposing missiles to beaimed at each other so that initial launching of one missile from afirst side of the board into a proper trajectory which causes said onemissile to strike an opposing launcher on t-he second side of the boardmay launch said opposing missile on said second side into a properretaliatory trajectory to strike a third launcher on the first side ofthe board, which in turn, may launch a missile from said third launcherinto a counter-retaliatory trajectory, and

so on.

3. The game of claim 2 wherein said playing board is provided with abarrier between said first and second opposing sections.

4. The competitive game of claim 2 wherein said launchers are pivoted tosaid board to provide a means for aiming the launchers.

5. The game of claim 2 wherein said launcher surface terminates in 'anend having a lip extending away from the surface and wherein saidmissile has a portion on the underside which may en-gage said lip tohold the missile in said cocked state.

6. The game of claim 5 wherein said missile is releasably connected tosaid launcher by means normally urging said missile into a trajectoryand wherein said trig- -ger element is constructed and arranged torelease said missile responsive to an aerial blow imparted to thetrigger element.

7. A competitive retaliatory game, comprising, a playing board separatedinto first and second opposing sections; a plurality of launchingstations on eac-h section; aimable launching means including a launcherunit having a platform positioned on the launching station and a missileguiding surface projecting upwardly .from the platform for guiding amissile in a trajectory; urging means on said launching unit fornormally urging a missile into flight through a trajectory; a missilenormally held on said guiding surface and connected to said urging meansso as to be normally urged into flight; means for holding said missilecocked in a state of readiness for flight including a first lockingsurface on the lower end of the launcher guiding surface and a secondlocking surface on the missile in engagement with said first surface; atrigger element movably mounted on said launcher and operably connectedto the missile by means for releasing the engagement between the missileand launcher locking surfaces responsive to movement of the triggerelement to permit said urging means to launch said missile into flight,means responsive to `a correctly aimed blow on the launcher to ca usemovement of said trigger so that initial launching of one missile from afirst side of the board into a proper trajectory which causes said onemissile to strike an opposing launcher on the second side of the boardmay launch said opposing missile on said second side into a properretaliatory trajectory to strike a third launcher on the first side ofthe board, which, in turn, may launch a missile from said third launcherinto a counter-retaliatory trajectory, and so on.

8. A competitive retaliatory game, comprising: a playing board separatedinto first and second opposing sections; a -plurality of launchingstations on each section; launching means including `a launcher unithaving a platform positioned on the launching station and a missileguiding surface projecting upwardly from the platform for guiding amissile into a trajectory; urging means on said launching unit fornormally urging a missile into flight through a trajectory; a missilenormally held on said guiding sur-face and connected to said urgingmeans so as to be normally urged into flight through said trajectory;means for holding said missile in a state of readiness for flightincluding a first locking surface 0n the lower end of the launcherguiding surface and a second locking surface on the missile inengagement with said first surface; a trigger element including agenerally horizontally disposed tarket area movably mounted on saidlauncher and operably connected to the missile by means for releasingthe engagement between the missile and launcher locking surfacesresponsive to movement of the trigger element to permit said urgingmeans to launch said missile into flight responsive to a blow thereon;and means mounting said launching means to said playing board for aimingopposing missiles lat each other so that initial launching of onemissile from a first side of the board into a proper trajectory whichcauses said one missile to strike an opposing launcher on the secondside of the board may launch said opposing missile on said second sideinto a proper retaliatory trajectory to strike a third launcher on thefirst side of the board, which, in turn, may launch a missile from saidthird launcher into a counter-retaliatory trajectory, and so on.

9. The game of claim 8 wherein said launching units are mounted to saidboard by pin means which extends through the board launching unitplatform and wherein said trigger element is impaled on said pin meansand is actuated to release the missile by being canted relative to itsimpalement on said pin.

10. The game of claim 9 wherein said trigger element is provided with a,finger normally held adjacent to the underside of the missile fordisengaging said first and second locking surfaces by raising theunderside of the missile responsive to canting of said trigger element.

11. The game of claim 10 wherein said missile is provided withprojections on the underside thereof near the forward and rear ends, andsaid second locking surface is formed on one of said projections.

12. The game of claim 11 wherein said missile is provided with a guidingand bearing surface at the forward end thereof having a configurationwhich generally mates with the guiding surface of said launcher unit toassist in the proper launching of the missile as the finger of thetrigger element raises the underside of the missile to permit therelease of the missile for flight.

13. A competitive retaliatory game, comprising: a playing boardseparated into first and second opposing sections; a plurality oflaunching stations on each section; a launching unit on each stationincluding a platform member positioned on the playing board and amissile launching track projecting upwardly from the platform forguiding a missile into a trajectory, said launching track having alocking surface on the lower end thereof; means on said launching unitfor normally urging a missile into a trajectory; a missile normally heldon said launching track and connected to said urging means so as to benormally urged for flight through said' trajectory, said missile havingprojections on the underside thereof with a second locking surfaceformed on one of said projections constructed and arranged to engageIwith said locking surface on said missile launching track to hold themissile cocked in a state of readiness; a trigger element on saidplatform member having a finger portion normally held adjacent to theunderside of the missile for disengaging the launcher and missilelocking surfaces to release the missile for flight, said trigger elementresponsive to an aerial blow thereon; and means pivotally mounting saidlauncher unit to said playing board to permit opposing missiles to beaimed at each other so that initial launching of one missile from afirst side of the board into a proper trajectory which causes said onemissile to strike an opposing launcher on the second side of the boardmay launch said opposing missile on said second side into a properretaliatory trajectory to strike a third launcher on the first side ofthe board, which, in turn, may launch a missile from said third launcherinto a counter-retaliatory trajectory, and so on.

14. The game of claim 13 wherein said launching units are mounted tosaid board by a pin which extends through the board and the platformmember and wherein said trigger element is impaled on said pin forcanting movement relative to the pin to release the locking engagementbetween the missile and the launching track to permit the urging meansto launch the missile into a trajectory.

15. The game of claim 14 wherein the urging means includes a resilientstretchable member having one end arranged to engage the lower end ofthe missile with the other end connected to the launching track.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 283,661 8/1883 Reed 273-101284,965 9/1883 Ireland 273-101 Reed 273-101 Doan 273-101 Miller 273-101Holland 273-101 Thomas 46-81 Glass et al. 273-95 ANTON O. OECHSLE,Primary Examiner.

M. R. PAGE, Assistant Examiner.

